The Ministry of Health will launch a massive countrywide summer health awareness campaign through electronic channels to educate people on staying healthy while vacationing locally or abroad.
The three-week program aims to target all segments of society through television and phone-ins on safety in public parks, swimming pools and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
There are special advisories on prevention of road accidents, eating a balanced diet and practicing a healthy lifestyle, staying away from drugs and helping children to exercise safety in the use of electronic devices. Parents will be urged to supervise children when they use electronic toys and devices during their leisure time.
The ministry has also chalked out a series of phone-in programs to answer the public’s queries on medical problems as part of the program.
Senior medical consultants of various specialties will be present to answer callers at 800 249 4444, a toll free number provided by the ministry.
Beginning Sunday, health specialists will also be available on the toll free phone to assist callers and to educate them on various health issues that come up during the summer season.
Topics taken up during the discussions will include nutrition in the summer, children’s diseases, digestive problems, heart diseases and medicines to be taken during summer jaunts.
The health officials slated to participate in the program are Bushra Al-Rabia who will speak on nutrition, Dr. Faisal Al-Otaibi on children’s diseases, Dr. Nasser Al- Dosary on intestinal diseases, Dr. Muneera Al-Tuwahihi on the importance of breast feeding, Dr. Muheeb Ahmed Al-Abdullah on cardiac diseases, Dr. Eman Al-Dabassi on AIDS and Dr. Khalid Al-Saran on pediatric renal diseases.
In addition, health officials will have special counters at the domestic and international airports to distribute brochures on health education to passengers journeying to various local and international destinations.
Health awareness program planned
